Episode 200 - Chrystal's Christmas Collection

Hey everybody, it's Chrystal Hurst and I'm here with Charis and we're here to talk about our favorite things as we get ready to go into the holidays. So now I went and got myself ready in red and I said, "Aren't we supposed to be wearing red?" and she said, "No." I said, but you're going to blend into the couch. She was like, I don't blend. So we've been sitting here fluffing up our hair. I'm trying to have big hair. It's not happening, but you know, whatever. Why your hair so fluffy?

I have a regimen.

You have a what?

A regimen.

A regimen? I have a regimen too. It's called Call You to Do My Hair. So anyway, we're here talking about our favorite things and y'all, the holidays are coming and we're going to spend a lot of time with each other over the holidays. That's going to be a good thing, right?

Oh yes.

Why are you so much drama? So much drama.

I don't know if you're about to ask me a question or not. I'm just like, oh God.

Listen, y'all, if y'all follow Karris on her Instagram, And y'all wonder why is Ellie always on 10.

I'm not always on 10 though.

She sampled you and then she ran with it.

Yes.

Yeah. She has an on 10 version of herself.

Yes.

Okay. So we're going to talk about the holidays. I asked Charis to join me because she loves— have you already decorated your house?

Almost. I have the box ready.

The box, like the box of things. Do you have a tree?

Holiday stuff.

Yes, we do. You do have a tree. You have a tree tree or like a tree tree?

No, we have a tree tree. It like curves because it's taller than the ceiling. Okay.

Like she turns her house into a winter wonderland. Okay. And I'm not so much like Christmas is a little bit of a, we have good traditions.

We have things that we do. The tradition is like 2 days before Christmas we run out and get a bunch of Christmas decorations.

Listen, I'm busy. I'm busy making memories. The decorations are second to that. But we have good memory. Give me one good memory that you have of Christmas at my house. Not Christmas at Nonnie's, because that's something different. Christmas at my house. Don't take too long.

Christmas at Mommy's house, I would probably say going to pick like the real Christmas tree. Oh yeah, like the fake ones. I always like going to do that.

You know, I, I like real Christmas trees now, but I was only doing that because they were cheaper than the fake ones.

Well, see, I didn't know that.

Yeah, because the fake ones were like hundreds of dollars, and, and the real ones— and this is why we went 2 days before Christmas, because they were on sale. They were just getting rid of them. I think one year we even got a Christmas tree for free. He said, "Just take it." And we were like, "Thank you, God." So we took it home, but they smelled good, but it kind of became our thing. So you have a memory of the— okay.

And lots of like Christmas movies and hot chocolate. Everything was just special.

Yes, very special. So I would read a story and we would have hot chocolate and cookies every night, like the big red tin from Costco. And they would get to pick 2 cookies every night to read. So, but, but I like, like togetherness. Like we're on the couch, blankets and warm clothes and fuzzy and settling in. So we did a lot of movies, fireplaces, hot drinks, but pajamas is a situation. I think, have I gotten you onesies? Like for a while it was good. It's always socks. Yes. Okay. But one time I got you like a zebra one.

You did. Oh, you're right.

You're right.

You're right.

Let me tell you what will happen in your life when you have some good pajamas, specifically a onesie. You need to set up your calendar so that you don't go anywhere for days because that's pretty much what you're going to wear.

Yeah. Like I'm not taking this off until Tuesday. Next Tuesday.

I'm going to Israel in this right here. I'm going to get on planes in this. I'm going to go shopping in this. I'm going to show up at Target to shop for Christmas toys for the boys in this. And if anybody looks at me, I'm going to be like, What?

It's Christmas.

It's Christmas. So this onesie, y'all, is one of my new favorite things. Okay, so this is from Amazon. First of all, Amazon is a favorite thing.

Amazon for the win.

Yes, so this is one of my favorite things. And it was, 'cause you know there are some companies that have really expensive clothing. This is not an expensive onesie. And it's comfortable. And you want to know my favorite thing about this?

I almost don't want to know.

This is my favorite thing. This is my favorite thing. That's what I thought you were going to say. You don't have to take it off to go to the potty. It really can be on for days.

For days.

So this is, this is great. So y'all, here's the deal. So the whole time we're doing this episode, Um, I want you to listen for keywords. We're going to be doing some giveaways, but you have to make a note of all the keywords and watch to the end, and I'll tell you what you're supposed to do. The keyword is cozy. Oh, where'd you get this from?

This is from Hannah Anderson.

You did one of those family pictures where everybody's wearing the stripes?

Yes, we did it for Ellie's birthday, which is on Christmas Eve, and so we all got Christmas pajamas, but Major key, if you get them early, like in November, they're on sale right now.

They're like 40% off. They're on sale right now, actually. Which is amazing. But guess what? Guess what? You can't do this.

No, I can't. I have to pull down my pants like a regular person does.

Well, let's just say that some people need quicker access than others. Over 40 hashtag. Okay, so anyway, I, um, this is one of my favorite things, but one of the things that we didn't have, I didn't have this, and I would always get y'all onesies, but I never had one. No, but you know what I always had?

Blankets.

Yes, blankets are fave. Okay, so this blanket right here, okay, I think I gave this to you last Christmas, didn't I? Yes. So this is a throw. I'm a Costco girl, and so I got this from Costco. They have throws, but they also have queen-size and king-size blankets. It's like velour on one side, and then it's like sherpa on the other side.

Sherpa is like heaven sheep. Yeah, that's basically what it is, for those who don't know.

So how I know this was a great gift is because when I gave it to Charis last year and she opened it Everybody else was hating. They were like, where'd you get that from? And then it came up at Costco again.

Yes.

And then everybody was like, go give me the blanket, give me the blanket. So here's the deal. Not only can you get them at Costco, but you can get them on Amazon also. Life Comfort Ultimate Sherpa Throw, the Life Comfort Ultimate Sherpa Throw. Now, everything I mentioned today, I'm going to tell you where to go get it. This right here and this right here. If you go to chrystalevanshurst.com/myfaves, then I'll give you the specific information for where you can find it. Okay, here's another way to stay comfy during the holidays. Oh my gosh. Okay, so these socks are called Chirpy Socks. They're made out of bamboo wool. I actually gave these to everybody.

Everything is so fancy.

Sherpa, bamboo wool. Because being comfortable and cozy during the holidays is super important. So I think actually when the book came out, She's Still There, I gave everybody a pair of these as a gift. And if you don't have a onesie or if you don't have a blanket, fuzzy socks will do the trick. In fact, I think you have some on. Yours are a little well-worn, but you know what? They're still good.

Yes, they feel amazing.

Okay, so when you are cozy, movies, a fireplace, what else during the holidays? You're gonna tell— food, food. What food?

Anything.

So all this cozy talk means nothing if you don't have the experience. So like, what would be the holiday experience with being cozy? You got your blanket, you got your socks, you got your onesie. Then what? What else?

Besides food? Yes. Oh, um, a man.

Oh, oh, family.

That's great too. Yeah.

Kids, children, your mother, loved ones. Before she had a man, she had me.

I did.

Okay. All right.

We didn't do the same thing.

We didn't. Oh my gosh. So y'all, Keyword number 1, key clue number 1 for having a happy holiday: be cozy. Enjoy time with family and friends and do whatever you have to do— blankets and onesies and fuzzy socks— in order to do that. Um, you know what? Fuzzy socks will do the trick, but y'all listen, so will compression hose. Listen, some of us are over 40 and we have to wear compression hose, but there is no need for compression hose to stop you from being festive. So this you can find too at chrystalhurst.com/myfaves. So for those of us who need a little extra help, we can do that on that front as well. If your holidays are anything like mine, probably like yours, you're busy and you're doing for everybody else and you're cooking and you're shopping and you're trying to get everything in order, and if you're not careful then you'll let the whole holiday go by and not have done anything to make sure you're taking care of you. So these— this next segment of things we want to talk about would be great gifts, but they're also good for you. Okay, so this is one of my personal favorites. Okay, this is called the Tyler Candle Company candle. Okay, so my favorite flavor— I know flavor is for tasting, but my favorite scent— I say flavor. Is the Diva scent. Oh my gosh. This will make you feel some kind of way about your life. These candles like burn very, very well. They burn long and they just, they just fill up your whole house with a fragrance. So here's the thing. I hugged a lady once and I said, oh my gosh, you smell so good. You smell like this candle that I have. And you know what she said? It's my guilty pleasure. I said, what is your guilty pleasure? She said, "I wash my clothes." Did you not know?

No!

You didn't know. This is the Glamorous Wash Diva Scent made by the same— right. So you can wash your clothes in this or you can put a little bit of it on just like a wash rag and put it in the dryer and your clothes will come out smelling like this. I know it'll change your life. It'll change your life. So I have to hide it because nobody in my family is allowed to use it but me. And Daddy saw me one time and he said, he said, what is this? And I said, you can't use it. I know. Isn't that ridiculously great?

Can I have this bottle?

No, it's for me. I got it for me. I'm taking care of me during the holidays.

Okay.

You can come over and visit me and have a cozy night and then wash your clothes while you're over. Okay. You can only use a third of a cup. So that's that. DevaWash. Okay, so here's another thing. Okay, this seems like such a small thing, but y'all, hair is a situation, right?

Yes.

Okay, so this is called the Wet Brush. Now you have a Wet Brush, right?

I do.

Did you know?

I didn't.

Y'all, this brush, the Pop Fold Brush, I think is what it's called. Makes it travelable. So here's the deal. I think I have a few different friends who have this brush, but y'all, for real, specifically if you have hair of the African American curly persuasion, this brush will change your life.

Won't it?

Do you use this on Ellie's hair too?

Yes, I do.

It's like cry-free brushing.

No, she still cries. She cries if I do this.

She doesn't know what she's doing. I'll help you. It's okay. I'm your mother. I'll disciple you.

Thank you.

So this is another faith. Okay, but I happen to know that you just got some of this.

I did. Is that for me?

No.

Okay.

No, this is, this is a part of— Okay, so I have—

I'm better than you.

So I have family and friends who are oily to the max. So your Auntie Sylla is oily.

Yes, she is.

Aunt Nikki is oily.

Yes, she is.

Auntie Drea is oily. Aunt Wint was oily. And you recently decided to join the oily ranks.

Yes.

Okay, you just got your starter, you just ordered your starter kit.

Yes, I did.

Alright, so y'all, because my sister-in-law is really into this here. I just thought I'd share a few things with you. So this is a whole starter kit situation, okay? Then there's a diffuser so you can have the smell going all the way through your home. Obviously you can get somebody a starter kit from anywhere, and I'll have the information on that same website, chrystalhurst.com/myfaves, if you're interested in actually getting a starter kit. And Kanika, not only my sister-in-law, uh, can help you get started if you want your own starter kit like Charis has now. But also Kanika is like the master because she makes us body butter.

The master mixer.

Yeah. Like she makes her own lotions and all the things. Y'all listen, I don't know about you, but I like homemade stuff. And so Kanika every year uses the oils to make our, like, those are the gifts we get every year and we're kind of picky. Like, no, no, no, this is not the flavor that I want, the scent that I want. I'm getting specific. So this is a great gift for yourself, for your home, or for friends. But if you're specifically interested in getting a starter kit, which basically means I think you get like a discount on everything that you buy, then basically you're just gonna contact Kanika. And I put her information on that same page, chrystalevanshurst.com/myfaves. I think there's even like some great Christmas scents. To keep your house smelling all holiday-ish. You're gonna have to tell me all about it. I refuse.

I refuse.

Listen, y'all, I've been telling all of my sisters and cousins and all the people about all the holistic crunchy things. Now they think they're telling me something. They ain't telling me nothing. I've been knowing about this for like 10 years.

It's true.

It's true. Everybody would just listen to me, they'd be all right.

It's true.

Okay.

You're the OG.

I'm the OG.

Go.

Okay. So anyway, Hey, so here's another favorite of mine. So I met this gal, she's in Dallas. Her company is called Bombs and Body Co. She'll be on that same page, chrystalhurst.com/myfaves. But this last year, somebody gave it to me. It's the Pineapple Passion Body Butter. Oh my gosh, it is like the best. And I know you may not think you want to smell like a pineapple. Trust me, you want to smell like a pineapple. And I think there's like a baby powder version too.

Look at my skin.

It's like for real.

I'm like a goddess.

So anyway, I'm small business owner. I want to support her y'all. And you can't get this like anywhere. Like you have, it's like special. So one of the things I really enjoy doing are giving people gifts that are different, that they can't really get from other places or that they've never even heard of. And y'all, this is one for sure. Bombs and Body Co. Pineapple Passion body butter or any other flavor or scent that you like.

You love this, right? This looks good. Yes, this looks good.

Would you like this?

Thank you. Blessed.

Make sure that while you're shopping and you're taking care of people, and yes, all the things, the Diva Wash and the brush for your hair. Where'd the brush go? And the brush for your hair. Little things matter. It's a great stocking stuffer. And Young Living, if you wanna be oily, and the body coat.

I'm so slippery.

And the candles. But y'all, while you're at it, don't forget in little small ways just to take care of you. It's fun to do that too.

Self-care is the best care.

Okay, so the key to remember, whether it's candles or smelling good or just little things around the house that remind you that you're okay during the holidays, self-care. That's the key word. Self-care.

Self-care.

You need to take care of that. All right, y'all, so the next favorite thing, or the next group of favorites, are all unique. Okay, that's the key word, unique. So the first thing I want to tell you about is this little bracelet. Okay, this is a lady, it's called Psalm 91 Studios. It's a bracelet, she makes them all, and they have these little hand-stamped messages on them. This one says, "99, or the one is greater than 99, is a reminder that God's reckless love follows you wherever you go." And I don't know if you've seen people, everybody's wearing these little beaded bracelets. Super, super cute. Psalm 91 Studios. She makes each of these by hand, stamps them all herself, and prays over each one out of the door, right? Even when she sent it to me, she gave me this handwritten note that went along with it. So when you're looking for special gifts, think unique. Okay, here are some other unique gifts that we want to share with you. This is one of my new favorite things. Okay, have you ever had, like, you wanted to drink coffee or tea and you had a coffee or tea container that was too big, like you just, you didn't need that much. Y'all, this is like the perfect, I'm not kidding, like it's my new favorite container for anything hot. And like an hour later it was still hot.

Really?

Not 15, 20, 30, an hour later it was still hot. So this is West Rock Coffee Company. They're a socially conscious company who gives back out of their proceeds out of what they make. So not only Is this— I'm serious, like the best tumbler for hot tea and coffee I've ever had, but it's a great company with a great purchase. Do you drink hot drinks on the go?

In the winter.

Well, here you go. I'm just not sure.

What's too much?

It's my favorite.

It's going in my stash.

Okay, here's another one of my favorites. You're all about this.

Oh, isn't she beautiful?

Tell me what you notice about the bag.

So this color brown literally goes with everything. I mean, look at me. It's perfect. Look, even if I put it with her, it'd still be perfect. Yes, brown leather bags are the way to go, especially when you have kids. They're big. You can fit a small child in here, you know, and their stuff.

Don't put my grandbaby in here.

It's perfect.

So let me show you, did you notice the stuff that was inside?

Nope.

So here are some other great things. Y'all, this company is called Live Fashionable. Well, this company enables women in other countries who may not otherwise have a means of making a sustainable income. So you're supporting a great cause when you get the bags. Not only that, but the workmanship on this is impeccable. Like, I own one of these and it's ridiculously great. So in addition to the bags, like—

it smells good.

I know, it smells good because this is a wallet.

Oh wow.

I know, isn't that great?

That's really nice.

I know, local and global. And then you've got a wrist— look at this— so you don't have to take the whole bag into the store. Oh, isn't this great?

Like a little wrist bag.

It's a little wrist bag. So this is, um, Live Fashionable is the company. If you've never heard of Live Fashionable, Oh my gosh, please check them out because not only are you supporting a great cause, but y'all, this is the kind of stuff that's super quality and will last. It will last, and you can't find this in a store, so check that out. And I will have links to Live Fashionable also at chrystalevanshurst.com/myfaves. Check this out. Open that up, Pierce.

How cute!

Okay, but open it up, like flip through it and look on the inside. Y'all, this is the Encourage Bible. It is a Bible written by authors that came together for the Encourage Ministry. So it's a pretty Bible, and the devotionals and the commentary that's in the Bible is from women writers who are Bible teachers that study the Bible, who love the Bible. I'm in there, actually.

Are you?

I know! And then Winter's in there.

Oh!

I know. So if you're looking for a new Bible, it's great quality craftsmanship and it's beautiful. It's beautiful. So this is the Encourage Bible, and then this is from Daily Grace Company highlighters that can go— that won't bleed through the pages of your Bible. So I don't know if you—

Oh, wow!

Yes, if you're into artwork and and all the things in your Bible. Like, this is— it's like special stuff to color in your Bible. What is it called? Journaling? Do you journal in your Bible, or do you have a journaling Bible?

I do not journal in my Bible, but I journal in a journal. You journal in a journal apart from my Bible. I don't like messing up the integrity of my Bible, so I just journal elsewhere.

Well, listen, in the Bible or outside of the Bible, Daily Grace Co makes these markers that will help you to do it in or outside of your Bible. Y'all, again, this is a great stocking stuffer. I was just gonna say that. I know, it's a great stocking stuffer, and the Bible is a great thing to give, especially if it's to somebody special in your life.

I think I'm gonna get one for Christmas. And then we have— We have perfume. So this perfume is not any kind of perfume, okay? It is called Black Woman, but don't worry, it's not exclusive to the race, okay? It is—

it smells delicious.

Think—

but you can't use too much.

No, no, you need that much, okay? And you'll walk in and smell up the whole church. It's perfect. Imagine walking into, you know, a Baptist church on Sunday and giving that lady with a big hat a big ol' hug, this is what she smells like. And it's, ah, it's wonderful, wouldn't you say?

Y'all, seriously, I got this as a gift and I would go places and people would always say, what are you wearing? And it was just this little bottle of oil and I just put it on my wrist in a little, just right here, and it goes a long way for a long time.

It does, it really does.

So this is something that I kind of wear. It's kind of a signature, right?

You have it.

Like, I give this away all the time. So if you're looking for something, again, it's a little unique. Unique is the key word. Get some black woman, no matter what color a woman you want.

Get some black woman in your life.

All right, y'all, so here's the deal. These are just a few things that you need to know about, okay? Straight up, just need to know, and that is also the code word. You need to know that you can get a big ol' bag of these. And why is that a good thing? Big ol'!

These are great because they're perfect stocking stuffers, they're perfect fit in your purse to sneak into the movie.

You're not supposed to do that. You're also not supposed to pop your own popcorn at home and put it in a gallon bag and take that into the movies either. I don't know who does that.

Spidey specific though.

Listen, when you have 5 kids and you're trying to get into the movies, sometimes you have to work your way around some situations. But go ahead.

But these are great because they're super tasty. They have tons of different flavors. Again, a great size for either stocking stuffer or to stick in your purse and sneak into the movies.

Here's something else you need to know about. Listen, y'all have heard me talk about the yoga pants. Ah, I wear these all the— do you not own any?

I know I don't. Do you not? Have you never had any? No, no, they've never been gifted to me.

So y'all, I love being comfortable, right? What do you walk around the house to be comfortable in? Like workout tights? Stop it!

Um, sure, workout tights.

Well, these are my favorite yoga pants. If you've been following me for any length of time, you know yoga pants is the situation. Honestly, you can get them at Walmart. I think I can get them at Walmart, but you can also get them online. So I put that on chrystalevanshurst.com. /myfaves too, if you just want to order it and have them show up to your door. Comfortable clothes is important. Let me give you another thing you need to know about.

This dress is life-changing, totally life-altering, life-saving. Do you see how wide it is?

Miraculous. Okay, Jesus sent. You see how from heaven down above. Go, go ahead.

Do you see how wide this is? It's perfect because it just drapes across of all your bumps and, and curves, and it just sags in the most unattractive way, and it's just perfect.

In the most attractive way?

No, no, I said unattractive on purpose. Josh does not like this dress, but you would like this dress. That's all that matters.

And your friends will like this. And your friends will like this. Y'all have heard me talk about the black dress. This is the black dress in red. Did you know it come— did you know it came?

I did not know it came in multiple colors. Now that I know—

actually, this is not a black dress. This is why Josh doesn't like it, because it's a muumuu. But let me tell you why this is a muumuu that your mama and your— and everybody would love, because you can wear it out in the day in the daylight with jewelry and you put on some cute shoes and everybody's going to say, "That is so cute." Yes.

And you can put it on with a little cute scarf and some booties and call it a day.

Yes, put a little jean jacket, you're good to go.

Exactly.

But then when you come home, you take off the jewelry, you take off the shoes, you take off the scarf.

And you get in the bed.

And you get in the bed.

And it's perfect. From day to night. This is what we call day to night wear.

Day to night wear. Night to day wear.

You see the stretch factor? Do you see that?

That's important.

Do you see that? This is great. This is what you need.

I'm so serious. This is something you need to know about. Whatever color. I have like 2 black ones. It's my travel uniform. Travel in that because it's comfortable. But now y'all about to see me getting up out of the bed and going about my day in red because it's Christmas time.

Pizzazz.

Okay, here's something else you need to know about. Okay, y'all, you're like, what does this have to do with the holidays? It has to do with the fact that after the holidays are over, you have a life. I have been getting this calendar now for a good 5 or 6 years. So you know how you get a family calendar and there's not enough space for you to write on? This has plenty of space with lines. And the best thing, especially if you have kids, stickers.

Stickers.

Stickers. It's like life-giving. And then I just save them. And then like, you know, when I scrapbook, then I look back to see what we were doing and when on our family calendar. This is the Amy Knapp Big Grid Family Organizer. And I get it now and put it on the counter. Oh, and the other cool thing, it goes from July to the following December. Oh wow. It's like a full 18 months. Calendar. And these are my favorite pens. They're called Hero Pens.

Mmm.

Don't pens make you excited?

Yes, they do. They do make me excited. Not quite as excited as they make you, but they still make me very excited, yes.

So y'all, this is another great stocking stuffer. This is like an extra big pack, but they come in smaller packs, and people love these pens when I give them to them. And they work perfectly on the calendar. So these are things you need to know about. Okay, y'all, the holidays are coming whether you like it or not. And so whether you think about being cozy or you think about taking care of yourself, self-care, or things that are unique, or items that you just need to know about, like the ones I just shared you, the, the most important thing is to remember whether you're taking care of yourself or taking care of other people, that it's about the people, right?

Don't.

It's about the people.

Don't cry. Don't cry. Aww.

I love her. What are you getting me for Christmas?

Ahem. Well guys, it was great being on this talk show and we'll see you next time.

I just gave you a whole show of things you can give me.

Oh. I'll give you one of those things.

I already have them.

I'll give you a photo shoot. Ah!

A photo shoot!

Faris Photography! www.farisphotos.com.

P-H-A-R-R-I-S. The most important thing, of course, to remember during the holidays is regardless of what you give or regardless of what you see, that it's spending time with people that you love. Are you gonna come over and cook cozy up. Yes, baby.

You gonna cook me dinner and watch my kids?

Of course I am. Wonderful. All right, y'all. So we gave you keywords. So what do you do with those keywords? Hold on to them. Make sure you're on my email list. You can do that just by going to chrystalevanshurst.com and also make sure you're following me on Instagram. And as certain things pop up that we're giving away, if you have the keywords, then you'll be able to follow the instructions, share those keywords, and be eligible to win. So stay tuned. Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer.

Reindeer.

Had a very shiny nose.

Shiny nose.

And if you ever saw him.

Ever saw him.

You'd eat the clove.

Clove. Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh.

Okay, the